Norfolk, Va. (July 29, 2011) --- Delaware State University wide receiver Justin Wilson (jr.; Windsor, Conn.) has been selected as the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football pre-season Offensive Player-of-the-Year, in voting by league head coaches and sports information directors. The announcement was made during the MEAC's annual Football Kickoff Luncheon at the Norfolk Waterside Hotel.

The luncheon also featured the MEAC's predicted order of finish in the upcoming 11-team league race. Delaware State has been picked to finish eighth in the 2011 standings. The Hornets received 158 total votes in the poll of league head coaches and sports information directors. Delaware State was seventh in the MEAC with a 2-6 mark (3-8 overall) during the 2010 season.

South Carolina State is the pick to win the 2011 MEAC championship, finishing just ahead Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. The same three teams shared the conference title with 6-1 records last season.

S.C. State received six of 22 first place votes and 468 total points in the 2011 poll. Bethune-Cookman is a close second with 454 points, although the Wildcats received the most first place votes (8). Florida A&M is third in the poll with 420 points. The Rattlers collected five first place votes.

MEAC newcomers North Carolina Central and Savannah State were picked to finish seventh and 11th, respectively, in the 2011 poll.

Wilson is the first Delaware State player to be selected as the MEAC's pre-season Player-of-the-Year since Shaheer McBride in 2007.

A 2010 All-MEAC First Team selection, Wilson was the first player to lead the league in receptions (59), receiving yards (937) and TD catches (11) in a season. He ranked 16th among all NCAA-FCS players in receiving yards (85.2 pg) and tied for 35th in receptions (5.4 pg).

In addition, he set a Delaware State University record with 59 catches last year.

Wilson enters the 2011 season with 68 receptions for 1,037 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Hornets.

Delaware State running back Jashaawn Jones (sr.; Asbury Park, N.J.) is the only other Hornet to earn pre-season All-MEAC First Team recognition. Jones was fourth in the MEAC with 724 yards rushing in 2010. He enters his senior season with 1,387 yards and 12 touchdowns at Delaware State.

DSU tight end Ryan Langdon (jr.; Phila., Pa.) was selected to the 2011 pre-season All-MEAC Second Team

Delaware State kicks off the 2011 season on Sep. 3 at Virginia Military Institute VMI). Game time is 1:30 p.m. in Lexington, Va. The Hornets will play their home opener on Sep. 10 against Shaw (6:00 p.m.).

New DSU coach Kermit Blount will begin his first pre-season camp with the Hornets on Aug. 8.